More than 291,000 cases have been confirmed, meaning it could soon overtake Russia.

Brazil issued new guidelines for wider use of the anti-malarial drug chloroquine in mild coronavirus cases, a treatment touted by President Jair Bolsonaro in defiance of public health experts' warnings of possible health risks.

Meanwhile some countries in Europe are reporting few signs of an increase in the number of people infected after ending their lockdowns.

French health minister Olivier Veran said the number of patients arriving each day at hospitals is decreasing, along with people treated in intensive care units.

Image:Delegates stand in silent tribute for victims of the COVID-19 during the opening session of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC)

Meanwhile, China is preparing to open its National People's Congress on Friday after the meetings in Beijing were delayed for two months.

The number of fresh coronavirus cases in China has dropped recently, though clusters of infections have popped up in some areas. China reported two newly confirmed cases on Thursday.

An outbreak at the congress would be a potential public relations nightmare as President Xi Jinping showcases Beijing's apparent success in curbing the coronavirus that emerged in the central city of Wuhan late last year.